Marshall-Starke’s Parker Is College Bound

David Parker never had big dreams as a little kid. Playing video games and hanging out at home were enough.

With age, experience and a growing role in Special Olympics, a whole world has opened up to him, including an opportunity to attend college.

Parker is a Special Olympics Indiana athlete in the Marshall-Starke County program. He competes in sports, serves on the local Athlete Leadership Council and attends Knox High School. Next fall, Parker will head to Grace College on a scholarship, an opportunity he never imagined growing up.

“When I was a little kid, I didn’t want to go to college,” Parker said. “At most, I figured I’d finish high school and go find a job. These last two years, though, I’ve really wanted it.

“My freshman year, I got involved in Special Olympics, and it helped me get better at school and sports. It changed everything.”

Parker will study education at Grace in preparation of becoming a history teacher. His course load this year includes algebra, history, math, criminal justice and other core courses.

Elementary and middle school were a struggle for him. He didn’t enjoy it. Covid didn’t help as it kept him home and inside. His grades reflected this outlook.

Then in his freshman year, he committed to one of the bravest things he’s ever done. He signed up to compete for the Marshall-Starke swim team. He didn’t even know how to swim at the time.

“Special Olympics helped me open up, make friends and meet new people,” Parker said. “It also helped me get more organized and set goals. I realized that life is much more than video games.”

Parker’s mother, Holly, hoped for something to light a spark in her son. David Parker was diagnosed with a mild to moderate cognitive delay, and a school counselor told her that David likely would never advance past a middle school-level education.

He proved that wrong.

“David has wanted to go to college and stay on campus for a few years now,” Holly Parker said. “We never thought that was a possibility.

“Through Special Olympics, he’s learned how to get along with different types of people. He was never an overly shy kid, but he’s grown a lot. He does new things now that he was never interested in before. Special Olympics opened his eyes toward physical fitness and leadership. It has also helped our family. We’ve gotten involved and gotten more physically fit as a result.”

Holly Parker, her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Kylie, volunteer with Marshall-Starke. David’s younger brother, Connor, is also a Special Olympics athlete.

Since joining the swim team, David Parker has added basketball, powerlifting and flag football. He’s lost weight and gained muscle mass as a result.

School is still hard, but he has friends and something to work toward: a goal that can completely change his life’s projection.

“I want to run track at Grace,” he said. “I want to live in the dorm, meet new people and continue to stay physically fit. I want to maintain my mental health.

“When I started high school, I was scared of what my life would be. I’m not scared anymore.”